Austin, Texas

The Alamo
In May, I was fortunate enough to go to Austin, Texas for a work training on smokeless and spit tobacco. Though, it may not sound interesting, it was. my colleague and I were able to bring information back, and get to know people from all over the nation. Texas showed us a grand time! The highlights of the trip are as followed and not in any particular order...

* BATS, Austin has bats that burrow in a bridge. Bob (my colleague), and his wife and I went on a boat tour and watch and heard that bats under the bridge. It was AN AMAZING evening. It was so beautiful with the sun setting on buildings downtown. As we were motoring out to see the bats, it started to RAIN! It was a good southern rain that hit like a wall and then left shortly after. The boat went and docked and a few people left the tour. Us Alaskans are used to rain. We know we wouldn't melt! HA! Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures as my camera was back in the hotel, and we went strait to the tour from our opening reception.
*The opening reception, where we had a chance to mingle with everyone from the conference as well as see the hisroy of Texas, eat yummy hors d'oerves, and seeing a 4D movie on the history of Texas.. Let's just say in 4D rattle snakes sure have a way with a person! The reception was held at the University of Texas, Austin, at the Museum of TExas History. If you have a chance to go, I'd recommend this museum. It was great!
*EMILY VOISIN!!!!!! Need I say more? Emily, is a fellow member of my church and I know her from Louisiana! She and her family were in my last area of Houma where my "tragic end" happened. I LOVE Emily! She picked me up from New Orleans, so many years ago. I remember liking her INSTANTLY and thinking she would be a friend. It was GREAT to see her and her son Michael, meet her parents and see other parts of Austin. she was a saint and drove me around so that I could buy a pair of tennis shoes. You always know when you have a dear friend when you can see them after YEARS and pick up where you left off. With Emily it felt like we were old friends and picked up from where we left off! LOVE HER!
* KAREN AND DAVID ASHTON!!!!! While in Texas I was able to see some "Alaska Family." Karen and David were missionaries in Juneau. They are AMAZING and I love them SO much! I spent many a day while they were in Juneau. David and I are able to have grand conversations where we challenge each others thinking. They are POWERHOUSES!!! They drove ALL THE WAY from Ft. Worth to come see me!! They took me to the Alamo and the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and showed me a good time. They ARE THE BEST! They are part of my Alaskan family!
*The Alamo, San Antonio temple, and the Riverwalk...

I was able to pack in LOTS of things while at the conference. The 14 hour flights were worth it.



Downtown Austin From my hotel room
The Ashtons


San Antonio Temple


Emily Voisin and me
At the mall, the keys got locked in the car.... This is Emily in "distress!"